Cordyceps was first discovered over 1,500 years ago in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. Tibetan and Nepalese herders noticed that their yaks, goats and sheep became stronger and more energetic after grazing in certain high-altitude meadows. Upon closer inspection, they found that the animals were consuming a strange fungus that grew on the bodies of caterpillars. Curious, the herders began consuming the fungus themselves and experienced increased vitality and endurance, and soon it became a prized medicinal ingredient in ancient Chinese and Tibetan medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps was considered a powerful adaptogen, used to restore balance and strengthen the body’s vital energy. Cordyceps was documented in several ancient Chinese medical texts, where it was praised as a powerful tonic for health and longevity.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Cordyceps became so highly valued that it was reserved for the emperor and royal family. It was considered one of the most potent tonics for strength, stamina and longevity. Emperors consumed Cordyceps-infused elixirs to maintain their health and virility, and it was sometimes gifted to foreign dignitaries as a symbol of China’s superior herbal medicine.
Modern Rediscovery
Though Cordyceps was a well-kept secret of the East for centuries, it gained global attention in the 1990s when Chinese Olympic athletes credited Cordyceps supplementation for their record-breaking performances. This led to increased scientific research, confirming many of its traditional benefits, from boosting endurance to supporting immune health.
About fifty years ago, the Chinese Medicine and Science Academy began research that led to the development of a technique for producing Cordyceps in a laboratory environment. Using fermentation technology, Cordyceps is now produced in large quantities at a very reasonable cost with the same medicinal properties as wild Cordyceps.
Modern researchers have found that Cordyceps seems to help maintain normal respiratory and heart functions, normal kidney and liver conditions, support the immune system and increase energy levels. Also, Cordyceps may have a positive effect on memory, appetite and promotes healthy sleep.
